Every other day, somebody is taking up a cause on social media. Pretty film stars and sports personalities are out there, apparently putting up a case for handling body shaming during pregnancy.
It is many years since I have had my first born. For all of us, the first one is a frightening adventure into the unknown. Additionally, I was in a touring job, on the other side of thirty and one miscarriage down. An eminent lady gynaecologist advised me to stop wearing heels and avoid sex (actually, so no major cause to shake your fists at ignorant bureaucrats). Luckily, I took my sister's advice to change my gynaecologist.
One of the city's flamboyant doctors, he gifted me with a fully illustrated book with lovely images of a lady's progression through the 36 weeks. Each page prepared you for not just the visual body changes but detailed out the likely physical challenges, recommended exercise, need for being loved and enjoying love making. A book that I shared with my partner and later gave on loan to our pregnant colleagues.
We live, largely in a society that celebrates motherhood as the end of womanhood. Looking and feeling good during pregnancy, doesn't come in itself. It is understanding that 'eating for two' is not the normal. Weight gain should be controlled, stretch marks should be proactively handled and exercise is essential. We need this important handholding and advice not just posts on Instagram or Twitter, of extremely beautiful ladies exposing their baby bumps. Clearly, many of these taken by professional photographers.
Equally important is the post partum attention we are allowed for ourselves or showered upon by our near and dear ones. Not all of us are blessed with the opportunity to make a recovery with a beautician and gym or yoga instructor. Post motherhood, we are rudely reminded that the baby comes first.
So, pretty celebrities, share good advice, recommend the right reading, if you really want to help others. God bless, all of you look beautiful and it's good to share your journey. Please remember, though, your beautiful exposition of pregnancy might actually be giving us the, by comparison, social media blues.
